Sports Spectator Officiating Device

Abstract

This invention relates to a device designed for use by spectators at athletic events wherein a spectator may signal his agreement or disagreement with an official's call by releasing a flag into the air, which flag is tethered to the user's wrist or clothing and therefore retrievable.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sporting spectator penalty flag device comprising:
 a. a flag comprising a securing mechanism;   b. a tether comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is attached to the flag; and   c. a fastening device attached to the distal end of the tether via an attachment point.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flag is comprising of a natural or synthetic material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  comprising one or more materials taken from the group comprised of: cotton, linen, wool, silk, rayon, nylon, acetate, acrylic, polyester, spandex or any commercially available natural or synthetic equivalent. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the flag is fashioned in a shape taken from the group comprising: a square, a rectangular, a circle, a triangle, or other known geometric shape. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flag is a bright, primary color. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flag is fashioned in colors and/or logos of a particular sporting franchise, program or team. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a weight is attached to the flag. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism consists of a hole or eyelet punched or cut into the fabric through which the tether can be threaded and secured. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the securing mechanism is stabilized by attachment of a grommet. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising wherein the securing mechanism comprises wherein the tether is stitched directly to the flag. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a clasp, button, hook, Velcro® strap, or another device of equivalent functionality, allowing attachment to and detachment from to a corresponding mating device on the proximal end of the tether. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tether is constructed of one or more materials from the group comprising: string, rope, cord, twine, filament, wire, rubber or the equivalent. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tether will be between 1 and 5 feet. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is one of the group comprising: a wrist band, a carabiner, a clip, a hook, a pin, Velcro® strap, clip with a hole, or a similar device of equivalent functionality. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an attachment point to which the distal end of the tether is secured. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment point of  claim 15 , comprising a clasp, button, hook, Velcro® strap, or another device of equivalent functionality, allowing attachment to and detachment from a corresponding mating device on the distal end of the tether. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment point of  claim 16 , comprising the use of glue, thread, staples, or pins to secure the distal end of the tether to the fastening device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is a Velcro® strap and the attachment point comprises wherein the distal end of the tether is sewn directly to the strap. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using the device of  claim 1  comprising the steps of throwing the flag into the air, allowing the flag to drop to the ground, and retrieving the flag by retracting the tether.